The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-07-23
TRAINED ANIMALS.

C. T. Holder, an Harper's Young People.
Several years ago traveller was jour
neying in the Holy Land, where mendicants
and beggars are SO extremely common, and
often intrusive, when he was stopped on the
road by an Arab, who represented that he
had a wonderful goat which he was anx-
ious to exhibit Nothing loath at being
entertained where such novelty was hardly
to be expected, the traveller expressed his
willingness to be amused, and forthwith
the performance commenced.
The Arab dismounted from miserable
donkey, spread small carpet upon the
ground, and called up a demure-looking
goat that had been following patiently be-
hind. From bag the man took first Il
number of blocks, six inches long, cylindri-
cal in shape, and two inches across the top,
and placed four upon the carpet at a small
distance apart, upon which the goat immc-
diately stepped, carefully lifting each hoof
upon block. Now the Arab placed in
his mouth small reed musical instrument,
and began to drone monotonous air that
was evidently appreciated by the goat, as
it pricked up its ears and assumed posi-
ton of deep attention. Without ceasing
playing the Arab then lifted one of the
goats forefeet, and slipped under it another
cylinder, and repeated the operation under
all its hoofs, and in this way the goat was
gradually lifted until finally the pillars of
wood were four feet from the ground, the
patient animal preserving its balance per-
fectly, and appearing as if standing on stills.
That the music, if such it could be called,
was an important factor in this perform
ance was very evident, as the moment it
ceased the goat began to waver and trem-
bic; but upon the strains being revived the
animal seemed to acquire fresh confidence,
only topping over and falling to the ground
when the music entirely ceased
The next trick, if so we may term it,
was to build up the columns in an uneven
manner so that finally they were removed
from under the forefeet, the animal stand
ing upon its hind legs on the pillars, three
feet in height. In this performance the
Arab was merely taking advantage of the
marvellous faculty that many hoofed ami
mails have of maintaining foothold upon
places where it would seem almost impos-
sible.
Animals have been trained or educated
from the very earliest times, and it is
doubtful if any advance has been made in
this respect in the present day. The Won
derful exploits of the trained horses in the
circuses of to-day are but repetitions of the
amusements offered to audiences several
hundred years ago. In those days horses
not only danced upon their hind legs, but
fought mock battles, striking at their enc
mics with their forefeet, and showing what
appeared to be remarkable intelligence.
Perhaps the most surprising feat ever per-
formed by horse was in the olden time.
A large three-sided braided rope was
stretched several feet from the ground, and
upon this the horse walked, preserving its
balance perfectly. In an old print a pic
ture of the act is shown, while another cut
represents horse striking the shield of a
soldier with its hoofs. Even the elephant,
generally considered the most ungainly of
all animals, was trained in those days to
walk the tightrope, not only near the
ground, but, if we may believe the old
writers, it traversed ropes swung above the
heads of the audience, and not only pre-
served its balance, but bore man upon its
back. Such performance is extremely
remarkable when we remember the caution
by these huge animals in crossing
bridges or any structure that is at all in
secure.
Of all trained animals l would give the
elephant the first place, as there is hardly
any feat performed by other and far more
agile animals that it cannot accomplish. |
was told by an elephant-trainer, who had
in charge the education Of number of
that he had often seen them
going through their tricks in the night in
their stalls-in fact, appearing to be prac-
ticing the exercises through which they
had been put during the day. The first
time that he observed this he was aroused |
in the night by the snorting of valuable |
horse, which was fastened near young
student elephant, and upon looking through
a knot-hole he saw his promising pupil
standing on its head, or endeaVoring to do
so-a trick that he had been trying to
teach it for some time. This unusual po-
sition struck terror to the horse that was
snortiBg and quivering with fear. So it
might be assumed that the elephant was
studying its lessons, though the probable
explanation was that the force of habit was
10 strong that the elephant was merely fol-
owing its dictates.
Parrots appear extremely intelligent
rom the wise sayings that they occasion
lily recite, but they probably do not I'M
lerstand word that they say. A parrot
hat was owned by a sea captain in the
East India service was often the cause of
much merriment. 1t usually sat ON the
luarter-rail, and would often sing out or
iers in voice so resembling that of the
mate that the men could not distinguish
between the two. One day, when the ship
vas lying in a dead calm the watch was
lroused by the cry, "Ready about Station
or stays p The men rushed to their sta
ions 10 hear the bird scream, "Oh, the
oh, the fools !" The same ship was
IAN East Indian port one day, tax
hangers, who had to be hoisted
sk-and-pulley from small boat
yught them from shore. All
|aken aboard in safety with the